The Kaduna State Government has finalised the validation of two education policies aimed at fostering inclusivity and equipping students with practical competencies. The Gender in Education Policy and the Life Skills Policy were reviewed during a stakeholder workshop in Kaduna, attended by education experts, government officials, civil society groups, and development partners. Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abubakar Sani, stated the Gender in Education Policy addresses inequalities affecting girls and vulnerable groups, using data from Local Government Area-specific analyses across all 23 LGAs. "This is the first time any Nigerian state has systematically analysed and documented the unique educational challenges, opportunities, and resources of each of its 23 LGAs as the basis for policy development," he said. The Life Skills Policy focuses on building critical thinking, communication, resilience, and decision-making abilities in learners. Malam Bashir Muhammad, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, highlighted that entrepreneurial skills are now embedded as core components of the curriculum. He confirmed that implementation frameworks for both policies have been budgeted for, ensuring continuity even without external partners. Salisu Baba-Lawal, Director of Planning at the Ministry of Education, said the policies will undergo continuous review to monitor progress. Stakeholders including Habiba Mohammed of the Centre for Girls' Education and Maryam Dangaji, AGILE Project Coordinator, emphasized that education and life skills reduce child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and gender-based violence.
Prof. Abubakar Sani's claim that Kaduna is the first Nigerian state to use LGA-specific data for education policy is a rare instance of granular planning in public governance. If the state sticks to the budgeted implementation roadmap, students—especially girls in underserved areas—could see meaningful shifts in access and safety. But policy documents do not teach classes or keep children in school; consistent execution will. Many states have launched transformative policies before, only for them to gather dust in ministry files.
